Booker & Co: Our Philosophy

Our shoes and accessories are created by craftsmen and are graceful in their strength and boldly feminine.

Here at Booker & co we support slow fashion and thoughtful consumerism. We are passionate about delivering conceptual silhouettes paired with edgy detailing, using exquisite leathers and creating a sense of uniqueness and timeless style.

Booker & Co: Our Designer

Booker & Co. is the culmination of designer Karen Booker’s lengthy and accomplished professional career in fashion design, crafting and hand-manufacturing.

Since graduating from Wellington’s fashion school, she achieved international success in a career that ranged from designing women’s lingerie, swimwear to outerwear.

Drawn to Melbourne and its vibrant shoe design and hand-manufacturing culture, Karen is passionate about designing shoes and bags with integrity and utilising the age-old skills and knowledge of craftsman. She is engaged and inspired by the unique challenge of form and function that is demanded by shoe and bag design.

Her creative work is underpinned by her love of the design process and the challenges typical to creating beautiful, functional forms.

"Shoe and accessory design is constrained by many practical factors so I always try to take a sculptural and conceptual approach.

Early on in my design career I realised that I wanted to expand my horizons and pursue a multi-disciplinary approach to design that was more than just following fashion.

I found a great sense of freedom by learning other skills and disciplines, and have always incorporated these into my design aesthetic.

Modern women know who they are and know their own style, throwaway fast fashion doesn't cut it anymore. We want uniqueness and longevity from our accessories.

I’m the kind of person that once I find something I love, I always want it in my life; I think we all have that inclination toward objects and clothing.

Many times I have had the perfect skirt or top and have worn it until it has practically dissolved! The way I approach shoe design is as wardrobe essentials, enduringly classic yet still lyrical with line and form."